Goddard Forms Film Production Unit

Theme-park designer Gary Goddard has launched the Goddard Film Group and has acquired a trio of literary properties for development as feature film releases aimed at overseas markets.

“We’ve established this new entity to create, develop, and produce films targeted to the broad family market and to the young adult market,” Goddard said.

“With the work we do in China, Korea, the Middle East, and around the world, I think we have a great sense of what will play well internationally.”

The Goddard Film Group has acquired rights to Alexander Gordon Smith’s “Escape From Furnace,” Jerry Pournelle’s “Janissaries” and Madeline Grattan’s “Jexium Island.”

Goddard, who founded the Goddard Group in 2002, is CEO of Goddard Film Group. Roger Lay, Jr. is in charge of production and Eric Carnagey heads business development.

“Escape From Furnace,” the first of a five-book series, is set a mile beneath the Earth’s surface in an authoritarian near-future in Furnace Penitentiary — the world’s most secure prison for young offenders. Story is centered on a teen who’s convicted of a brutal murder he didn’t commit.

“Janissaries” follows a squad of special forces soldiers who are caught in a deadly ambush with no hope of escape — until they’re rescued from certain death by an alien spacecraft and offered a chance at a new life.

“Jexium Island” is set on a tiny isle not found on any maps with a community of lost children who do not remember their past and who labor to mine ore.

Goddard Group has been involved in the creation of The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Star Trek: The Experience for the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, Terminator 2: 3D, Jurassic Park: The Ride and the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man for Universal parks. Goddard has also produced shows such as “Hair” and “EFX!” starring Michael Crawford for the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.